The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in 1974 and was directed by Tobe Hooper. The movie was banned in several countries and was highly controversial. It was followed by a sequel, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, in 1986.
The third movie in the series, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, was released in 1990. This movie was not as successful as the first two and was panned by critics.
A remake of the original movie was released in 2003 and was directed by Marcus Nispel. The remake was not as successful as the original but did well at the box office.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise has spawned several video games, comic books, and merchandise.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre tells the story of a family of cannibals who live in the backwoods of Texas. The family is led by Leatherface, a mentally-challenged man who wears a mask made from human skin.
List of All The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies in Release Order
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
- Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
- Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
- Leatherface (2017)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Director: Tobe Hooper | Writers: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hoober | Stars: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Edwin Neal. | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 23 minutes. | Release Date: October 11, 1974, | Language: English. | Genres: The movie genres are horror and thriller. | Filming Locations: Bilbo’s Texas Landmark – 1073 State Highway 304, Bastrop, Texas, USA | Production Companies: Vortex | Budget: The movie’s budget was $300,000. | Box Office: The film grossed $30 million.
The first movie was released in 1974 and was titled The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way, they stumble across what appears to be a human bone and decide to take it with them. The group eventually arrives at the grandfather’s house, where they meet a family of cannibals.
The movie was directed by Tobe Hooper and was based on a true story. Kim Henkel and Tobe Hoober wrote it, and it starred Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Edwin Neal. The movie was banned in several countries and was highly controversial. It is considered one of the most influential horror movies of all time. The film grossed $30 million at the box office with a budget of $300,000.
Sally with her brother Franklin and friends on their way towards Franklin’s grandfather’s house. However, their trip is cut short when they pick up a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychopath. This leads to them being targeted by a family of cannibals, one of which is Leatherface.
Sally and their friends leave the hitchhiker with the family and continue towards the grandfather’s house, but they eventually realize that they are being followed. They attempt to flee in their car, but Leatherface catches up to them and kills them all with his chainsaw. Sally is the only one to survive and is left traumatized by the experience.
Pam and Kirk find an abundant house in the middle of nowhere while visiting Pam’s grandparents. They quickly realize that the family who lives there are cannibals, and they are being held captive. Pam and Kirk manage to escape, but only Kirk makes it out alive. He is left with severe burns and psychological trauma from experience.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
Director: Tobe Hooper | Writer: L.M. Kit Carson, Tobe Hooper | Stars: Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Jim Siedow. | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: The movie’s runtime is 1 hour and 41 minutes. | Release Date: August 22, 1986 | Language: The language is English. | Genres: The movie genres are horror and comedy. | Filming Locations: Prairie Dell, Texas, USA | Production Companies: Cannon Group, Golan-Globus Productions | Budget: The movie’s budget was $4 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $8 million.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 was released in 1986 and was named The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. The movie is set 14 years after the events of the first film. It follows a radio DJ who receives a phone call from a woman who Leatherface and his family have kidnaped. The DJ then sets out to rescue her.
The movie was directed by Tobe Hooper and was written by L. M. Kit Carson and Tobe Hooper. It starred Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, and Jim Siedow. The movie was not as successful as the first but was still a hit with audiences. It grossed $8 million at the box office with a budget of $4 million.
Buzz and Rick get chased by a tow truck while driving down the road. They end up crashing into a ditch, and the tow truck driver, Luda Mae, takes them back to her house. There they meet Leatherface, who kills Rick. Then, Luda Mae and Leatherface take Buzz captive and are forced them to be their slave.
He eventually manages to escape and goes to the police for help. The police don’t believe his story, so he takes them back to the house himself. There they find all the evidence of the cannibal family, and Buzz is finally vindicated.
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
Director: Jeff Burr | Writer: David J. Schow, Tobe Hooper, Kim Henkel | Stars: Kate Hodge, Ken Foree, R.A. Mihailoff | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes. | Release Date: January 12, 1990 | Language: English. | Genres: Horror and thriller. | Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA | Production Companies: Nicolas Entertainment | Budget: The movie’s budget was $3 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $5 million.
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III was released in 1990 and was named Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. The movie is set in the present day and follows a couple who Leatherface and his family are chasing.
The movie was directed by Jeff Burr and was written by David J. Schow, Tobe Hooper, and Kim Henkel. It starred Kate Hodge, Ken Foree, and R.A. Mihailoff. The movie was not as successful as the first two but still grossed $5 million at the box office with a budget of $3 million.
Leatherface brutally murders a young couple, Heather and Dean. However, Heather’s baby survives the massacre and is taken in by another family. Leatherface goes on a rampage looking for the baby but is eventually captured by the police. He is then sent to a mental hospital, where he meets three other patients: Bud, Benny, and Vernon.
The four of them escape from the hospital and go on a killing spree. They eventually find Heather’s baby and kidnap her but are pursued by the police. Leatherface and his accomplices are all killed in the ensuing shootout.
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Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995)
Director: Kim Henkel | Writer: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper | Stars: Renée Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Jacks | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 27 minutes. | Release Date: October 21, 1995 | Language: English. | Genres: Comedy, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: 16493 Cameron Road, Pflugerville, Texas, USA | Production Companies: Ultra Muchos Production, River City Films, Genre Pictures | Budget: $0.6 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $0.18 million.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation was released in 1995 and was named Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. A group of teenagers gets into a car crash in the Texas woods on prom night and then wander into an old farmhouse that a family of cannibals inhabits.
The movie was directed by Kim Henkel and was written by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper. It starred Renée Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, and Robert Jacks. The movie was not as successful as the first three and grossed only $0.18 million at the box office with a budget of $0.6 million.
After the senior prom, four friends, Jenny, Heather, Barry, and Sean, go for a joyride. They pick up a hitchhiker named Darla, who leads them to an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. There they are captured by Leatherface and his family of cannibals.
Jenny is the only one to escape, and she goes to the police for help. The police don’t believe her story, so she takes them back to the house herself. There they find all the evidence of the cannibal family, and Jenny is finally vindicated.
Sean looks after the driver while Jenny, Heather, and Barry go to find help and reach a nearby farmhouse. The family living there happens to be in league with the cannibals, and they capture Jenny and Sean. Heather and Barry return just in time to rescue them, and they all manage to escape.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Director: Marcus Nispel | Writer: Scott Kosar, Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper | Stars: Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Andrew Bryniarski | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 38 minutes. | Release Date: October 17, 2003, | Language: English. | Genres: Crime, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Taylor, Texas, USA | Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Focus Features, Radar Pictures | Budget: $9.5 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $107 million.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in 2003 and was a remake of the original 1974 movie. It follows a group of teenagers who Leatherface and his family are hunting.
The movie was directed by Marcus Nispel and was written by Scott Kosar, Kim Henkel, and Tobe Hooper. It starred Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, and Andrew Bryniarski. The movie was a box office success, grossing $107 million with a budget of $9.5 million.
While Erin, with her four other friends, is driving toward their family’s old farmhouse, they pick up a hitchhiker named Morgan. Morgan leads them to an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere, where Leatherface and his family of cannibals capture them.
Erin is the only one to escape, and she goes to the police for help. The police don’t believe her story, so she takes them back to the house herself. There they find all the evidence of the cannibal family, and Erin is finally vindicated.
Erin’s friends manage to escape from the cannibals, but Morgan is killed in the process. They all go to the police for help, but Erin is the only one who is believed. She is then taken to a mental hospital and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
Director: Jonathan Liebesman | Writer: Sheldon Turner, David J Schow | Stars: Jordana Brewster, Matt Bomer, Diora Baird | Country of origin: The United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes. | Release Date: October 6, 2006, | Language: English. | Genres: Crime, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Austin, Texas, USA | Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Platinum Dunes, Next Entertainment | Budget: $16 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $51 million.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning was released in 2006 and was a prequel to the 2003 remake. It follows two brothers who are on the run from the law and end up being hunted by Leatherface and his family.
The movie was directed by Jonathan Liebesman and was written by Sheldon Turner and David J Schow. It starred Jordana Brewster, Matt Bomer, and Diora Baird. The movie was not as successful as the previous two, grossing $51 million with a budget of $16 million.
In 1939, in a slaughterhouse in Texas, a Lady gave birth to an infant with some skin condition. The owner of the slaughterhouse, Thomas Hewitt, takes pity on the child and decides to raise him as his own son. He names the child Leatherface.
As Leatherface grows up, he becomes more and more mentally unstable. He goes on a killing spree with his three brothers when he reaches adulthood. They eventually find themselves at the mercy of the law and are all sent to prison.
Leatherface eventually breaks out of prison and goes on another killing spree. He is finally captured by the police and sent back to the mental hospital. There he remained until his death in 2006.
When Thomas goes to the slaughterhouse, the owner of the slaughterhouse, Mr. Sawyer, decides to hire him. Thomas then meets a young woman named Luda Mae, whom he loves. However, their relationship is strained by Thomas’s job.
One day, while working at the slaughterhouse, Thomas makes a mistake that costs him his job. In frustration, he kills one of the cattle with a hammer. Luda Mae witnesses the murder and is so horrified that she breaks off their relationship.
Enraged, Thomas goes on a killing spree, butchering anything and everything that gets in his way. He eventually finds his way back to the slaughterhouse, killing Mr. Sawyer and taking over the business. From there, he expands his operation, turning the slaughterhouse into a full-fledged murder business.
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Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
Director: John Luessenhop | Writer: Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan, Kirsten Elkins | Stars: Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Scott Eastwood | Country of origin: The United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes. | Release Date: January 4, 2013 | Language: The language is English. | Genres: Horror and thriller. | Filming Locations: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA | Production Companies: Millennium Films, Lionsgate Films, Texas Chainsaw 3D Productions | Budget: The movie’s budget was $23 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $47 million.
Texas Chainsaw 3D was released in 2013 and was a sequel to the 2006 prequel. It follows a woman who inherits a house from her grandparents and finds out that Leatherface and his family haunt it.
The movie was directed by John Luessenhop and was written by Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan, and Kirsten Elkins. It starred Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, and Scott Eastwood. The movie was not as successful as the previous three, grossing $47 million with a budget of $23 million.
This movie is a direct sequel to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and it ignores the events of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) and Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990).
In this movie, a young woman named Heather learns she is the sole heir to her grandfather’s estate. She decides to go to Texas to claim her inheritance, bringing her boyfriend Ryan and their friends Nikki and Kenny with her.
Upon arrival, they meet a strange man named Carl, who tells them about the Sawyer family, a family of cannibals who used to live in the area. He also tells them about Leatherface, the cannibal who wears a mask made of human skin.
Heather decides to go ahead with claiming her inheritance, and she and her friends go to the old Sawyer house. There they are attacked by Leatherface and his family of cannibals. Nikki is killed, and the rest of them are captured.
Heather manages to escape, and she goes to the police for help. The police don’t believe her story, so she takes them back to the house herself. There they find all the evidence of the cannibal family, and Heather is finally vindicated.
Her friends manage to escape from the cannibals, but Kenny is killed in the process. They all go to the police for help, but Heather is the only one who is believed. She is then taken to a mental hospital and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Leatherface (2017)
Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury | Writer: Seth M. Sherwood, Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper | Stars: Sam Strike, Lili Taylor, Stephen Dorff | Country of origin: the United States | Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes. | Release Date: September 21, 2017 | Language: The language is English. | Genres: Crime, horror, and thriller. | Filming Locations: Bulgaria | Production Companies: Campbell Grobman Films, LF2 Productions, Lionsgate | Budget: The movie’s budget was $1.4 million. | Box Office: The film grossed $1.8 million.
Leatherface was released in 2017 and was a prequel to the 1974 original movie. It follows a young Leatherface as he escapes from a mental hospital with three other patients and goes on a killing spree.
The movie was directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury and was written by Seth M. Sherwood, Kim Henkel, and Tobe Hooper. It starred Sam Strike, Lili Taylor, and Stephen Dorff. The movie was not as successful as the previous four, grossing $1.8 million with a budget of $1.4 million.
In 1955, the Sawyers family celebrated the birthday of Jed sawyers, in which he was given a chainsaw as a gift. Jed and his friends use the chainsaw to kill animals for fun. Nubbins Sawyer, Jed’s mentally disabled brother, is left behind by the others and is captured by the police.
The sheriff decides to take Nubbins to a mental hospital, where he is diagnosed with schizophrenia. The doctors at the hospital decide to perform a lobotomy on him, which leaves him even more mentally disabled. He eventually escapes from the hospital and goes on a killing spree.
In 2017, a group of teens decided to go on a road trip through Texas. They pick up a hitchhiker named Violet, who leads them to an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. There they are attacked by Leatherface and his family of cannibals. Violet is killed, and the rest of the group is captured.
The group manages to escape, but they are all killed one by one by Leatherface. The only survivor is a girl named Clarice, who is taken to the hospital for treatment. There she is diagnosed with schizophrenia, just like Nubbins Sawyer. It is revealed that Clarice is the daughter of Nubbins Sawyer, making her Leatherface’s niece.
Movies in order by IMDB Rating
| Movies | Rating on IMDB |
|---|---|
| The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | 7.4/10 |
| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 | 5.6/10 |
| Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III | 5.1/10 |
| Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation | 3.3/10 |
| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre | 6.2/10 |
| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning | 5.8/10 |
| Texas Chainsaw 3D | 4.8/10 |
| Leatherface | 5.0/10 |
Other Popular Horror Franchises To Binge Watch
If you enjoyed the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies, then you might want to check out some other popular horror franchises. Some great options include:
- Wrong Turn Movies
- Final Destination Movies
- Hannibal Lecter Movies
- Evil Dead Movies
- Saw Movies
- Nightmare on Elm Street Movies
- Friday the 13th Movies
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Child’s Play Movies
- The Conjuring Movies
- Insidious Movies
- The Purge Movies
- Paranormal Activity Movies
FAQs
Do You Need To Watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies In Order?
No, you don’t need to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies in order. However, if you want to know the story chronologically, you should watch them chronologically.
Do the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Take Place in the Same Timeline?
No, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies do not take place in the same timeline. The original 1974 movie and its sequels take place in one timeline, while the Platinum Dunes movies and Leatherface take place in another timeline.
What Is the Difference Between the Two Timelines?
The main difference between the two timelines is that the Platinum Dunes movies are a reboot of the original 1974 movie, while Leatherface is a prequel to the original movie. The Platinum Dunes movies take place in the present day, while Leatherface takes place in the 1950s.
What Is The Best Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie?
The best Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is the original 1974 movie. It is considered a horror genre classic and helped to popularize the slasher movie subgenre.
What Is The Worst Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie?
The worst Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is Texas Chainsaw 3D. The movie was not well received by critics and was a box office bomb.
What Happened To The Original Cast Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre?
The original cast of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre mostly retired from acting or died. Marilyn Burns, who played Sally Hardesty in the original movie, died in 2014. Gunnar Hansen, who played Leatherface in the original movie, died in 2015.
Did any of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies win any awards?
No, none of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies won any awards. However, the original 1974 movie was nominated for two Golden Globes.
Do any of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies have any connections to other horror franchises?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 has a few connections to other horror franchises. The character Chop Top Sawyer is a reference to the character Leatherface from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Additionally, the character Dr. Loomis from Halloween makes a cameo appearance in the movie.
What Are Some Common Themes in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies?
Some common themes in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies include cannibalism, madness, and murder. The movies also often explore the topics of family dynamics and relationships.
What Is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie Rated?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is rated R for strong violence, gore, and language.
Do any of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies have any sequels?
Yes, there are two sequels to the original 1974 movie: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 (1986) and Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990). There is also a prequel to the original movie, titled Leatherface (2017).
Are any of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies based on a true story?
No, none of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies are based on a true story. They are all fictional stories.
Where can I watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies?
You can watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies on DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming platforms like Netflix.
Conclusion
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a classic horror franchise that has been popular for decades. If you’re a fan of horror movies, then you should definitely check out this franchise. There are plenty of movies to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that you enjoy.
Whether you prefer the original 1974 movie or the more recent Platinum Dunes movies, there’s something for everyone in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. So what are you waiting for? Go watch some Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies!
Hey, My name is Charles Eames, I am a designer, filmmaker, and lover of photographic arts. And I usually write about movies, Famous/Influential People. I am running this blog with my girlfriend Bernice.